always towards rear, tailed off and eased over 3f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, weakened 3f out
led for 3f, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, led over 4f out, soon ridden, edged right over 1f out, kept on
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden well over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, every chance from over 1f out
held up, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous
with leader, led after 3f, headed over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 4f out, headway over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
always towards rear
With this many runners it is hard to be totally confident, however Alrida comes here in good form and likely to be up there with the pace from the start, Richard Fahey's charge gets the vote ahead of Dhehdaah, Kayf Aramis and Great As Gold. Alrida was behind the hat-trick seeking Kristensen when last seen at Musselburgh however the selection is more likely to appreciate today's slower ground. He has won over further so stamina is not a problem and he also possesses a pretty decent turn of foot. The yard are in decent form and he looks a solid option in a tricky contest. Great As Gold is best around the testing track of Pontefract and whilst he must rate a danger, the pace will have to be strong as whilst he stays forever, his mark of 65 makes life trickier. Dhedaah is 10lbs above his highest winning mark but he is very consistent and cannot be ruled out on ground that will suit. Global Strategy is better on the all-weather, whilst At The Money will appreciate any further rain and looks a danger. Kayf Aramis tends to find one too good off this mark and needs more help from the handicapper. A tough contest for punters then, in which the tentative vote goes to Alrida.
Sworn In (USA) 25-1 (9-0) Always in rear, lost touch final 3f, last of 10, 45l behind Princelet (9-3) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Trance (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Dwelt, soon tracked leader, ridden and effort when not clear run, well over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 5, 6l behind Gee Dee Nen (9-7) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Kristensen 4-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Danzatrice (8-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
Mind How You Go (FR) 7-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 3f out, outpaced 2f out, plugged on at one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 3l behind Princelet (9-3) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Nimra (USA) 5-2jt-fav (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened quickly, 7th of 11, 25l behind Florimund (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Kayf Aramis 14-1 (8-10) Chased winner to 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 5l behind Junior (8-11) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Mr Mischief 3-1jt-fav (8-12) Held up, headway halfway, effort over 3f out, led well over 1f out, soon ridden clear, edged left entering final furlong, easily, won at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs beating Tedstale (8-12) by 7l, 13 ran.
Salut Saint Cloud 6-1 (9-1) In touch, effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, 6th of 13, 6l behind Dhehdaah (8-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Riodan (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) With leader, led after 2f, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 11l behind To Tiger (8-8) at Ayr 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Sept.
Alrida (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, led well over 1f out, headed last 50 yards, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Kristensen (8-12) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Great As Gold (IRE) 7-4fav (9-8) Behind, headway over 5f out, ridden over 4f out, stayed on final furlong, led close home, won at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr beating Noddies Way (8-1) by a nk, 12 ran.
Dhehdaah 6-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon drew clear, driven out, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr beating Newnham (8-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Follow On 9-2 (9-0) Towards rear, headway 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, took 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Gala Evening (9-10) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
At The Money 5-2fav (9-10) Always prominent, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, soon outpaced, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Trinity Rose (9-3) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Global Strategy 7-2jt-fav (8-12) Pushed along towards rear, ridden and headway halfway, one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 8l behind Kristensen (8-12) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Rose Bien 6-1 (9-9) In touch on outside, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 7l behind Treason Trial (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Grey Outlook 9-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, in rear,reminders over 4f out, no impression, 5th of 9, 13l behind Monolith (9-4) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
High Point (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 6f out, effort on outside, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Princelet (9-3) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
